Anxiety

When anxiety is worth addressing

Some anxiety is a normal part of being human. It becomes worth addressing when it lingers, feels out of proportion to the situation, or starts to shape your decisions and your days.

People often describe persistent worry that’s hard to turn off, a racing mind, feeling restless or on edge, trouble concentrating, and physical symptoms like a pounding heart, a tight chest, or muscle tension. Anxiety may disrupt sleep and can lead to avoiding the very situations that trigger it.

You don’t need a diagnosis or a crisis to reach out. If any of this sounds familiar, it’s reasonable to talk with a psychiatrist.

How I approach anxiety

My approach is thoughtful, unhurried, and personal. Anxiety looks different for everyone, so I start by understanding your story: what you’re experiencing, when it began, and how it affects your life. From there, we talk about a plan.

Care is collaborative and evidence-based. Depending on what fits you, that may include education about how anxiety works, practical strategies, coordination with a therapist, and medication when it’s appropriate.

What your first appointment looks like

We begin with a complimentary 15-minute phone consultation to make sure we’re a good fit. If we move forward, your first visit is a comprehensive psychiatric evaluation. This is an in-depth conversation about your clinical history and current concerns that ends with a personalized treatment plan.

From there, follow-up visits let us track how you’re doing and fine-tune your plan over time. All visits are virtual, for adults across California.

Medication and ongoing care

When medication is part of the plan, I focus on options with strong evidence for anxiety and adjust carefully based on how you respond. Not everyone needs medication, and it is always your decision.

Please note that I do not prescribe benzodiazepines (such as Xanax, Ativan, or Klonopin). If those are central to your care, another practice may be a better fit.